Moving to Mexico means you need to have a tremendous amount of patience for nonsense. The red tape in Mexico is ridiculous and extraordinary, and you’ll find the red tape in areas that you wouldn’t expect it to be. For example, it is more difficult to buy a car here in Mexico than it is to buy a house. Finding a used car in the state of Yucatan is extraordinarily difficult; we ended up hiring a lawyer to do it. Buying a used car is difficult- there’s a lot of...
Moving to Mexico means you need to have a tremendous amount of patience for nonsense. The red tape in Mexico is ridiculous and extraordinary, and you’ll find the red tape in areas that you wouldn’t expect it to be. For example, it is more difficult to buy a car here in Mexico than it is to buy a house. Finding a used car in the state of Yucatan is extraordinarily difficult; we ended up hiring a lawyer to do it. Buying a used car is difficult- there’s a lot of paperwork, and you have to have a huge amount of patience for things that you consider to be completely and utterly redundant and ridiculous.
I moved to Mexico from a Caribbean Island, so my move was a lot less jarring as it would have been, because I’d already had a cultural adjustment when I moved to the Caribbean from Canada. Moving from a Caribbean island to Mexico was less of an adjustment because there’s also nonsense in terms of administration in the Caribbean islands. When I came here, it was more of the same.
If you move straight to Mexico from other places, there’s going to be a lot to get used to. There are a lot of difficulties. For example, residency is something that is not easy to navigate, and it requires a huge amount of patience and some expense and help. Then of course, there’s the language barrier, which can make things difficult.
On the good side of moving to Mexico, the weather is nice, and certain things cost less compared to other places. I’ve lived in the United Kingdom, Canada, and in the Caribbean before moving here, so I’ve quite a few things to compare. It’s very nice here in Mexico, the people are lovely, and it’s just tremendously safe.
(Chuck Bolotin of Best Places in the World to Retire talking with a friend while moving out of the Hacienda San Pedro Nohpat, near Merida, Mexico, pictured.)
What's the language most often spoken in Volcan and Cerro Punta, Chiriqui Province, Panama? Can I get by if I just speak English?
James David Audlin - Editores Volcán Barú
Of course, the language most often spoken in the Volcán and Cerro Punta region is Spanish. Second to that is Ngäbe Buglé, a Native American language. Third comes English, which a plurality of Panamanians can at least smatter. After that you run into French, Portuguese, German, Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian, Polish, and a few others.
You can get by with just English - but you don´t want to! English-only speakers miss out on a lot of the joy of...
Of course, the language most often spoken in the Volcán and Cerro Punta region is Spanish. Second to that is Ngäbe Buglé, a Native American language. Third comes English, which a plurality of Panamanians can at least smatter. After that you run into French, Portuguese, German, Mandarin, Cantonese, Italian, Polish, and a few others.
You can get by with just English - but you don´t want to! English-only speakers miss out on a lot of the joy of living here, getting to know their wonderful Panamanian neighbors, enjoying Panamanian television and sports and cultural events, traveling around the countryside, and so on
English-only speakers are at a distinct disadvantage; prices are higher for gringos who don´t live in harmony with their neighbors, and their neighbors aren´t disposed toward being friendly, toward looking out for them in a kindly way. So, sure, you can get by, but I urge you to learn some basic Spanish - of all the languages I speak it was the easiest to learn.
What are the best things to do in and around Granada, Nicaragua?
Sendy Tijerino
One of the best things to do in the city of Granada, Nicaragua are the activities of the volcano Mombacho Canopy Natural Reserve.You feel that you are flying as a bird in nature; is the perfect combination for this feeling.
Also at night you can walk along Calle La Calzada and enjoy the nightlife in Granada and the variety of menus offered by restaurants there. And you can also see the colonial architecture that dominates the city of Granada.
One of the best things to do in the city of Granada, Nicaragua are the activities of the volcano Mombacho Canopy Natural Reserve.You feel that you are flying as a bird in nature; is the perfect combination for this feeling.
Also at night you can walk along Calle La Calzada and enjoy the nightlife in Granada and the variety of menus offered by restaurants there. And you can also see the colonial architecture that dominates the city of Granada.
Are there good vets in Portugal? Where are the best vets in Portugal?
Juan Matias - BLUE Boutique Hostel & SUITES
For many years we were really dedicated to the fishing and agriculture land and, when you’re talking about nature and agriculture lands, you’re talking about animals and when you’re talking about animals, you have pets and when you have pets you have to take them to the doctor. So there are a lot of veterinary stores around everywhere, and there are a lot of animal hospitals as well and animal hotels. This is something that is booming as well in Portugal. ...
For many years we were really dedicated to the fishing and agriculture land and, when you’re talking about nature and agriculture lands, you’re talking about animals and when you’re talking about animals, you have pets and when you have pets you have to take them to the doctor. So there are a lot of veterinary stores around everywhere, and there are a lot of animal hospitals as well and animal hotels. This is something that is booming as well in Portugal.
At home with me I have a Labrador. In my parent’s home, I have ducks, an ostrich, three other dogs, and parrots, and I feel completely comfortable taking my dog to the vet here. It is a bit expensive, though. The last time I took my dog for a vaccination it cost me €120 (US $134).
However, that was because I didn’t already have a relationship with the vet. In Portugal, when you start having a good relationship with people they drop the prices to half, so the prices are not standard.
How much does it cost to maintain a car in Belize?
Christian Burn
Here in Ambergris Caye, we don’t use cars; we use golf carts. So when you ask “How much does it cost to maintain a car in Belize?” for us here, that translates to “How much does it cost to maintain your golf cart in Ambergris Caye? The roads here in Ambergris Caye are pretty rough so your golf cart will need a little bit of service. I would say I spend probably about US $250 a year in maintenance for my golf cart, which of course, is still much...
Here in Ambergris Caye, we don’t use cars; we use golf carts. So when you ask “How much does it cost to maintain a car in Belize?” for us here, that translates to “How much does it cost to maintain your golf cart in Ambergris Caye? The roads here in Ambergris Caye are pretty rough so your golf cart will need a little bit of service. I would say I spend probably about US $250 a year in maintenance for my golf cart, which of course, is still much less than it costs to maintain a car.
Gas is also affordable. I spend around $25 every two weeks to put gas in the golf cart. In contrast, when I went to the filling station in Canada, I would spend around $60 to fill up my fuel tank. Therefore, the $25 every other week that I spend on gas for my golf cart here in Belize is considerably less.
Moving to another country gives you a new lease on life. When you move to a new country you have new experiences.
I’m a firm believer that everybody in the planet should move overseas for about two years. If they do, they get a broader perspective. They see things. I always find the most narrow-minded people in America are people who rarely traveled or left the town they’ve lived in. Travel broadens the horizons in every way. You become more open to new...
Moving to another country gives you a new lease on life. When you move to a new country you have new experiences.
I’m a firm believer that everybody in the planet should move overseas for about two years. If they do, they get a broader perspective. They see things. I always find the most narrow-minded people in America are people who rarely traveled or left the town they’ve lived in. Travel broadens the horizons in every way. You become more open to new experiences. It just improves a person; makes you more rounded.
On a sunny Sunday morning, my husband and I walked into Boquete. We live about 2 miles away, uphill from the little town of Boquete. The walk is all downhill. We pass the three-story, bright yellow Tourist Information Center as we go towards the curve that takes us down to the streets below. We pass trees that are very old, very big and many are covered in plants, flowers and vines that grow on the trunks and branches that wind upward towards the deep blue sky and warm sunshine.
Gonzalo de la Guardia is leaving a video legacy for his grandchildren of their Saturday outings together discovering the meaningful places and communities in Panama. In Jet Metier’s talk with Gonzalo, or “Allo” as his grandchildren call him, she learns the other side of being an expat from Panama and how Panama is center to larger movements in the world.
Jet Metier: Hello, Gonzalo. I was inspired by the video you posted on our site in the...
I absolutely love this part of Panama! Playa Venao is an excellent surf spot, a lovely beach, the crowds are very relaxed and chilled out. El Sitio is a great beach side bar restaurant with the best view of the surfing on the beach. If you plan on a visit to this part of Panama on the Azuero Peninsula, this is also where I would recommend you stay.